Opportunities : for Group and Individual Press Trips

The Alliance

Bulletin

Issue 75 : June 2010

Key information on a no-frills format for professional who travel to write, edit, broadcast or create images.

www.itwalliance.com

In this issue

· Opportunities : for group and individual press trips

· News : items of interest to travel journalists

· Leads : story ideas

· The month ahead : annual festivals and events

· Reasons to write about : destinations and travel pursuits

· A place to stay :and review hotels, resorts and other accommodation

· Profile on : destinations

· Working with Alliance members : travel partners and their agencies

· Alerts : ongoing press trip opportunities

Ongoing initiatives

· Travel products and services : of interest to travel journalists

· Travel guides : that will offer review copies

· The International Travel Writers Alliance and AllWays

Registering with the Alliance

To register with the International Travel Writers Alliance visit : www.itwalliance.com, click to enter the siteand click on Register as a member/editor/partner or agency.

Opportunities

Alliance members looking to take advantage of any of the following opportunities should be on assignment, with a commission or able to obtain one.

For ongoing opportunities for Alliance members see Alerts (below) or visit : www.internationaltravelwritersalliance.com.

Press trips to France

ATOUT FRANCE is pleased to inform you about the press trips to France’s regions happening in June…

Provence - Alpes- Cote d’Azur - Provence Naturally!

10-13 June

Provence Naturally! From tasting organic and local produce to learn how to cook “à la Provençale”, aromatic plant gardens and colours. Fall in love with the charms of Provence.

Burgundy - Vineyards ‘Road

10-13 June

Follow the ‘Vineyards’ Road’ in Chablis, take a hot air balloon ride over Vezelay (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and visit Guédelon Castle… a wonder in the making!

Vendee - Camping in a whole new way

17-20 June

A journey through stunning countryside and seaside from Nantes to La Rochelle as you will stay in “eco” campsites

Gironde – Celebrating the coming of summer with Bordeaux Wine Festival

23-28 June

The Bordeaux Wine Festival is the best opportunity to taste and celebrate the Wines of Bordeaux. Visits of St Emilion, The Medoc, the bay of Arcachon’s oyster farms and bastides (fortified towns) will give you a taste of summer.

Paris – Paris in Music

21- 23 June

‘Fete de la Musique’ is an institution in France and what better place than Paris to enjoy it! You’ll get the chance to visit the Theatre du Chatelet and the Opera Garnier and Cite de la Musique. A one-off opportunity not to be missed.

Limousin – Charming Accommodations

24 – 27 June

Charming accommodations and exceptional historical heritage await in Limousin. This journey will take you from picturesque villages in Creuse to Pompadour via Correze.

Visit : http://uk.franceguide.com/press-corner. Contact : Anne-lise Rouse at .

Press trips to Malta

With its all-year sunshine, direct flights, a safe environment and wealth of events, Malta is developing as a weekend destination.

It offers its UNESCO World Heritage listed capital city, charming villages, vibrant nightlife and good food. A first press trip takes place from 17 to 20 June and will be a stylish trip around some of the country’s best spas and hotels.

A second press trip takes place from 28 June to 1 July to coincide with Malta Music Week and celebrates Malta as one of Europe's hottest party destinations.

Malta Music Week is a six-day festival held across the island's best and most picturesque music venues. International club nights including Ministry of Sound and Creamfields have confirmed their attendance and have a fantastic line up of top dance DJs headline each night – please see some more details below.

Visit : www.visitmalta.com and www.clubbersevent.com/index.php. Contact : Anna Sharp at .

Polaris World, Murcia, Spain

8 – 10 June 2010

This press trip goes to the Jack Nicklaus designed golf resorts of Polaris World and includes a 2-night stay at the luxurious 5* InterContinental La Torre Golf Resort Murcia, two rounds of golf, a visit to historic Murcia and a superb sampling of local cuisines.
There will be opportunities to experience the exclusive spa and treatments and explore the local area including the beach resort of Mar Menor.

The trip is ideal for golf, general sports, beauty, holiday or general travel based features and we can tailor the trip to your needs.
Visit : www.polarisworld.com/polarisworld/es. Contact : .

Pissouri Bay, Cyprus

Alliance members are invited to apply for a place on a three day press trip to Pissouri Bay on the south west coast of Cyprus.

The resort has a sweeping 2 km expanse of beach surrounded by rugged cliffs reached from a winding road through valleys of almond trees, olives and vineyards.

The only hotels’ in the bay, situated on the Blue Flag beach, are owned by Columbia Hotels & Resorts and accommodation will be at the five star Columbia Beach Resort.

Visit : www.columbia-hotels.com. Contact : Anita Hamilton at .

Dubai

Dubai Tourism will be interested in considering working with Alliance members on press trips to Dubai. Visit www.dubaitourism.ae. Contact Natasha Behrouz at .

Maine

Migis Lodge

Migis Lodge on the shores of Maine’s Sebago Lake invites travel journalists to experience Maine Lakeside Luxury.

Open since 1916, this all-inclusive classic resort is located in South Casco, Maine, in the heart of the Lakes Region, just a 40-minute drive northwest from Portland.

The recipient of minimal media coverage, Migis Lodge is a secret gem that has welcomed generations of extended families during the summer season and is known as a secluded couples’ retreat for reflection and romance during spring and fall.

Offer includes complimentary accommodations and meals. Alcohol, special services and transportation not included.

The Inn at Ocean’s Edge

The Inn at Ocean’s Edge in Lincolnville has an expansive oceanfront lawn and commanding view of Penobscot Bay.

Those who take the short ride north to Belfast will be touched by this spirited community rich in history, yet emerging with a new culture of young artists, musicians and entrepreneurs.

Explore Belfast’s historic district, 23 art galleries, dozens of interactive street sculptures, and shop at the many interesting locally-owned shops including the oldest shoe store in the country, one of the largest and first green stores, and many other unique specialty boutiques. On Fridays, don’t miss the Farmers Market and town-wide Art Walk.
Alliance members are invited to stay at The Inn at Ocean’s Edge and join our group press excursion to Belfast, Maine, to be hosted during the week of June 21st.

Visit : www.migis.com and www.innatoceansedge.com. Contact : Susan Soltero at .

Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, Pensylvania

Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, Pa is inviting Alliance members to apply for places on a number of press trips.

Butler County is located 20 minutes north of Pittsburgh.

Meals, accommodations and transportation once you arrive in Butler County are provided. If you prefer to explore on your own, a customised itinerary can be created.

Washington's trail

7 and 8 June

George Washington passed through Butler County during his journey to Fort LeBouf in Erie to chase the French away, just before the start of the French and Indian War. A newly expanded driving tour travels throughout the County, retracing Washington's steps.

The Birds and the B's

28 and 29 June 28 & 29

There are many "b" activities in Butler County, including bird watching, looking for bald eagles on a pontoon boat, and getting close to nature as we canoe. Also butterflies in Moraine State Park and the brand new "Batitat", a bat condo for female bats and their young.

Wine and spirits

Late September weekend

A wine and spirit itinerary of wineries and some haunted places including a restaurant, a theater, the cemetery where Night of the Living Dead was filmed and another unusual cemetery.

Out and about in Butler County

October

This trip is for the ultimate outdoorsperson! Includes a visit to a game bird hunting farm, fishing on Lake Arthur, hiking trails, beer brewing and dirt-track racing!

Sweet Tooth

November - Weekdays

This tour is of bakeries, candy stores, ice cream shops and specialty coffees and teas in the county.

Visit : www.visitbutlercounty.com. Contact : Patti Jo Lambert at .

Indianapolis

First Public Relations has been appointed to handle the public relations programme for the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Authority.

Birthplace of Steve McQueen, Indianapolis is regarded as the “motor sports capital of the world”, home to iconic sporting events such as the Indy 500, which is the world’s largest single-day sporting event and the Red Bull Indianapolis Moto GP, the world’s premier motorcycle race series.

In 2011 the famed speedway will host the centennial Indy 500 race and in 2012 Indianapolis will host the NFL’s Super Bowl. In addition :

· other than Washington DC, Indianapolis offers more monuments and memorials than any other city in the USA

· home to some of the finest golf courses in USA, designed by Indianapolis native and legendary course architect, Peter Dye

· North America’s newest airport terminal and the first to be build post 9/11

· the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has 400,000 square feet of space and 11 permanent exhibits, making it the world’s largest.

· the first airport terminal designed and built post 9/11 is in Indy

· the Wall Street Journal recently ranked Indianapolis top for ‘best hot el value the USA

Visit : www.visitindy.com A press trip is planned to attend the MotoGP Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix in late August 2010. Contact : Lynda Daboh at .

News

Kingfisher Airlines

Kingfisher Airlines has opened up two new routes from Mumbai to Bangkok and New Delhi to Bangkok The airline also offers one-stop connections from London Heathrow to Bangkok via Mumbai.

Visit www.flykingfisher.com. Contact Gail Palmer at .

The Feathers Hotel, Woodstock, Oxfordshire UK

The Feathers Hotel in the historic town of Woodstock, Oxfordshire UK has been upgraded to four-star status following a redesign and refurbishment. Alliance members are invited to review the hotel.

Visit : www.feathers.co.uk. Contact : Jo Preston at .

The Park Hyatt Milan

The Park Hyatt Milan, located in the heart of Milan, overlooking the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, has opened its new spa.

Visit: www.hyatt.com. Contact: Alexandra Allason at .

The Royal Ontario Museum

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) presents House Calls with my Camera (to 11 October 2010(,a series of photo essays capturing the lives of the patients of Toronto physician Dr. Mark Nowaczynski.

Visit : www.rom.on.ca. Contact : Anne Marie Todaro at .

Sheraton Edinburgh

Work on the multimillion pound refurbishment of the Sheraton Grand Hotel, Festival Square, Edinburgh is scheduled to be completed in July.

Visit : www.sheratonedinburgh.co.uk. Contact : .

The 2010 Dance Critics Association (DCA) Conference

July 16 - 18 inNew York City

Held in conjunction withthe World Dance Alliance, theconference featuresspeakers, panels and dance performances.

Visit : www.dancecritics.org. Contact : Sally McKinney

Peckforton Castle Hotel, Cheshire, UK

Peckforton Castle Hotel in Cheshire, UK will reopen in July following a £1.7 million restoration restoration of a formerly unused part of the building and the unveiling of 11 luxury en-suite bedrooms, a brasserie and a mini spa.

Visit : www.peckfortoncastle.co.uk. Contact : Karen Floyd at .

Leads

Splendid Sri Lanka

Splendid Sri Lanka is a 16-day journey by Asia Transpacific Journeys that departs 15 August 2010.

On this Asia Transpacific Journeys tour guests travel from one UNESCO World Heritage Site to another along a route scheduled to accommodate one of Asia’s most spectacular festivals, Esala Perahera, a celebration of Buddhism held annually in Kandy.

Visit : www.AsiaTranspacific.com. Contact : Sara Widness at .

Bath, UK

Bath has been voted the UK’s best spa destination and the world’s second best spa destination by TripAdvisor in their 2010 Travellers' Choice Awards.

Bath has the only natural thermal springs in the country at Thermae Bath Spa and has spa hotels including the 5 star Royal Crescent Hotel and Lucknam Park Hotel, both part of the Relais and Chateaux Association.

The TripAdvisor top ten spa destinations are :

1. Sedona, Arizona

2. Bath, UK

3. Reykjavik, Iceland

4. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

5. Ubud, Indonesia

6. Playa Mujeres, Mexico

7. Oia, Greece

8. Providenciales

9. Sante Fe, New Mexico

10. Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

Visit : www.visitbath.co.uk. Contact : Lucy Weaver at .

The Spirit of Burgas festival, Bulgaria

13 to 15 August

The Spirit of Burgas festival takes place on white sands of the city's central beach on Bulgaria's Back Sea coast. Launched in 2008, the festival was the first event of its kind in the country offering a variety of stages and diverse range of artists covering all genres of music.

Burgas is Bulgaria’s fourth largest city offering a combination of sea, sun and nature.

Visit : www.spiritofburgas.com, www.burgas.bg, www.balkanholidays.co.uk and www.eufest.com

Frigate Island, Seychelles

Frégate Island Private, the Seychelles’ luxury eco resort, has be named one of the 10 most spectacular places in the world to photograph by the British Journal of Photography.

Frégate Island Private is the only destination in the Indian Ocean to feature in the list.